Decoding Cat Communication: What Their Tails Really Mean

When we think about tail wagging, we normally associate this with a dog’s behavior. Our feline friends also wag their tails, however, the meaning behind these movements can be much more nuanced. Cats are extremely expressive, and much of what they are expressing comes from their tail. Let’s take a look at exactly why cats wag their tails and what these little movements mean.

What’s The Point Of A Tail?

A cat’s tail is one of the most important parts of their bodies. Made out of small bones called caudal vertebrae, cats typically have 18-23 that make up their tails. They contain many important elements such as vertebrae, nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and scent glands.

Cats’ tails help them with balance and agility while walking, running, playing, or even stalking prey. If you’ve ever wondered just how your cat was able to walk across a ledge so effortlessly or jump up on the counter with ease, this is all thanks to their tail. It is a counterbalance for their bodies. In addition to helping cats maneuver like circus performers, their tails serve many other purposes. They are full of nerves that connect directly to the cat’s brain, so it also helps them feel the world around them. A cat’s tail also helps them communicate with other cats and humans as well.

How Do Our Cats Speak To Us?

Cats are very expressive creatures. While their tails help us determine what they are communicating, it is not the only way to understand what they mean. Cats also use their entire bodies to help communicate with us as well as with other animals. Cats communicate with us using their tails, eyes, ears, body positions, and even their voices! But just as hearing one word or part of a sentence does not make sense without context, a simple tail wag could mean something entirely different when you combine it with other elements.

Tail Wags And Their Meanings

A cat’s tail is an important part of its communication, but it also relies heavily on vocalizations, body language, and facial expressions. It can help you decipher what mood your cat is in, depending on the position and how it’s moving. With a dog, it is a lot easier to determine what they’re saying. Tail wag usually means they’re happy. Cats are a bit more sophisticated and therefore a bit more difficult to understand. Let’s look at a few of the different meanings of a cat’s tail wags.

The Swish

A low and slow swish back and forth generally means that a cat is mildly annoyed. They may do this movement when they are playing, too, just before they are about to pounce. It is a good idea to leave your cat alone and give them some space when you see their tails move like this. If the slow swish turns into a quick thrash back and forth, it is best to move away, as the cat is starting to get very angry.

The Twitch

When you see your cat’s tail twitching quickly, this usually means they are concentrating. This is most commonly seen when your cat is looking at something like a bird, rodent, or moving toy. It may even be accompanied by little cat chirps and chatters. While it can sometimes be confused with the swish, it is not the same, although, when you see this movement, it generally still means leave me alone.

The Quiver

This might be the most adorable of the tail movements. It is a quick shake or quiver of the top of the tail. Your cat may approach you with its tail straight up and quivering at the top, similar to a rattlesnake tail. The difference is that your cat is not warning you like a rattlesnake is. On the contrary, this is a very happy sign, and it means your cat is happy or excited to see you. This is often accompanied by purring, head rubbing, or “happy cat sounds.” When you see this, it means your cat wants some pets and cuddles.

The Hook

This is one of those tail movements usually only seen by those who have especially affectionate cats. They will hook or wrap their tail around someone’s arm, hand, or neck. Sometimes referred to as a “cat hug,” this is one of the ways your cat will try to show you affection. Although, don’t feel bad if your cat doesn’t do this, because a purr or a rub against you can mean the same thing.

The Sleepy Flick

One of the things about cats is that they like to decide if something is worth their time. If you have ever called your cat’s name while they sleep, they may just give you a quick flick of their tail. This tail wag means that they hear you, but at that moment sleep is much more important.

What If My Cat Has No Tail?

Some cat breeds have no tails, such as the Manx. Others may have lost them due to injuries or were simply born without one. Just because they have no tail to wag, doesn’t mean they can not communicate with you and other animals. Remember, cats use their entire body to communicate!